M A I L B A G

Punjab govt shouldn’t use obsolete titles

I am surprised at the use of titles like ‘Maharaja’ and ‘Maharani’ by both the state government and the Congress party in Punjab in their statements and government advertisements. Titles of princely states of Indian Union were abolished as far back as 1969 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Congress rule through a constitutional amendment. The privy purses of the Maharajas and Maharanis were also abolished. Since then, there is neither any princely state in India nor any so-called Maharaja or Maharani.

In no other state, even in much more feudal states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, such titles are not used for any person, be it Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje or the late Madhavrao Scindia. Former Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh and other eminent persons also don’t use these obsolete titles for themselves anymore.

Surprisingly, it is only in Punjab that there is open flouting of the Indian Constitution by the Congress and the state government. This is a show of absolute sycophancy and stark subjugation of mind.

Is the Congress party proud of the legacy of Nehru-Gandhi freedom struggle or the legacy of thoroughly obsolete, feudal, British colonial rule in Punjab? The Punjab government officials are flouting the Indian Constitution so brazenly. Can’t the courts take suo motu notice of such insult being shown to the Constitution?

Prof CHAMAN LAL, Centre of Indian Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

Focus on marketing

The National Commission on Farmers’ recommendations are very rational. One major factor that Dr M.S. Swaminathan has overlooked is the marketing of farm products. Diversification is an automatic process. If he can recommend the procurement of all alternative crops by government agencies and minimum support price (MSP) mechanism could be designed for all possible crops rather than only for wheat and rice, then the farmers need not to be motivated for diversification. Then one can see the grain markets busy throughout the year. 

Today we are forced to ban export of pulses and give a free hand to sugar and wheat exporters to balance the supply-demand equation. The government must recognise certain areas for certain crops and full incentives and marketing infrastructure along with marketing policies should be provided for the same crop in that particular area. After analysing our demand, we can finalise the area in acres or hectares to be brought under the crop. 
Ironically, small farmers’ consent is not being taken by the powers that be while making policies for the farmers.

KARANBIR SHAH,  Qadian (Gurdaspur)

Start science classes

The Punjabi University, Patiala, has taken over the TPD Malwa College, Rampura Phul. This is a welcome decision. However, science classes have not yet been started in this college. There is not even a single college in whole of the Rampura subdivision imparting science education at the undergraduate level. Students are forced to go to far-flung colleges to study science.

Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh and Punjabi University should immediately arrange for science classes in every college where requisite infrastructure is already available. No institution can ignore science.

Dr MEENAKSHI JAIN, Rampura Phul (Bathinda)

Restore quota

Though the Centre has been trying to raise the educational standards of the socially and educationally backward classes, Panjab University, Chandigarh, is working in the opposite direction of the government’s declared policy.

The Panjab University has withdrawn the benefit of reservation to these classes, otherwise called the Other Backward Classes, vide Syndicate para 31, dated Feb 28, 2004 (Handbook of Information 2007, University Business School, page 15). The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development should step in and direct the university to restore this benefit as earlier.

OM PARKASH, Chandigarh

Bane of Srinagar

The Tribune recently carried some good front-page pictures and reports on the overflow of the Jhelum river in Srinagar. Unfortunately, Srinagar is always having some problem or another. Terrorism is at its peak. Then came floods. People here find it difficult to lead a peaceful and calm life.

The city is cut off from the country sometimes due to snowfall or floods. It is sad to see the plight of India’s crown. There is a need to save it. The Centre needs to take effective steps to combat terrorism. Snowfall and floods are not in our hands. These are natural phenomena, but desirable steps should be taken to save human life and property.

NEHA DUSSA, BBKDAV College, Amritsar